Drinking from the Well

What is genuine worship?  Genuine worship is when we enter into intimacy with Almighty God.  It is not in the type of worship (traditional or contemporary . . . it’s not whether or not we are gathered in an ornate sanctuary or a room with a few folding chairs), because Christians around the world worship in so many different ways.  Even, here in Waynesboro, there are many different ways people worship.  It is not the form that makes genuine worship.  It is the introduction of intimacy with Jesus Christ that worship is all about.  It is when the spirit, our immortal, invisible part meets with God who is immortal and invisible.

When we explore Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, this woman was overwhelmed by this conversation.  She had set out, a woman of ill repute, to gather some water at the well.  She did this every day, and she never expected that on this particular day, something like this would happen.  And then, when she says in verse 25, I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ).  When he comes, he will tell us all things.”  Jesus astonishes her in verse 26, I who speak to you am he.  In the Greek text, the words are eigo eimi . . . I AM HE!!

Imagine the amazement in this woman’s mind as she experienced Jesus’s life-giving waters that unforgettable day by Jacob’s well.  Indeed, in the excitement of discovery, she probably forgot her water jar and ran off to Sychar to tell everybody, come, come, come, see a man who told me everything about myself.  Could this be the Messiah?  They came and they believed.

Friends, when we encounter Jesus, it is then we discover genuine worship.  So, really the question that remains is this: What are we going to do about it now that we know?  What are we going to do with this man who proclaims, “I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE” . . . What are we going to do with this man who has living water for our deepest thirst?

This water is ours for the asking.  And as we read in John 4:14, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  So, bottom line, will you drink from the well?  It is when we drink from the water that Jesus gives that we genuinely worship!

Worship

We look forward to welcoming Bill McCaskill (former pastor in the EPC and member of Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church) to our pulpit this Sunday!  Bill’s message is, “A Fresh Look at a Well-known Story,” based upon John 4:1-45.  Please read this text before worship.

Adult Sunday School 

Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the large Sunday school room.  Please join Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!!  We will continue our study of the Gospel of John.  This Sunday we will focus on John 17: The Real Prayer of Jesus!!  Please bring your Bible.

Tithes and Offerings

An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary.  Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.

August Financial Report

Tithes/Offerings: Monthly: $13,350                YTD: $144,766.29

Expenses: Monthly: $12,918.03                        YTD: $133,554.36

Capital Campaign: $3,875.00                            YTD: $14,923.00

Church Sign Donations: Monthly: $0.             YTD: $2,800.00

Golden Oldies

The Golden Oldies next gatherings will be on Wednesday, October 18th at 11:30 – lunch at Traditions Restaurant in Harrisonburg.  If you did not sign up, please let Janet or Harold know by October 10th if you are joining us.
Wednesday, November 8th from 2 to 4 p.m. meeting in the Panera Bread Community Room.  Sgt. Josh Graves will speak on Personal Identity Theft and Safety.  Anyone interested in this subject is invited to join us!
December – No meeting of the Golden Oldies – enjoy time with Church and Family!

Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports

If you have any concerns you would like to add to the Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports list or give an update, PLEASE contact our prayer coordinator, Janet Coiner (540.447.0918) by THURSDAY at 10:00 a.m.!!  Thanks so much!!

Driver Assistance

If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointments, please call Tom Reider (540.649.5162).  He has agreed to coordinate rides.  He has a list of those who have volunteered to give those rides.  We are grateful for this important ministry!!

Mission Corner

We continue to collect “Hope Blessings” donations every three months for Love INC.  From July 1 to September 30, we are collecting various paper products: paper towels, tissues, napkins, and toilet paper.  May we be a blessing to those families in need!  We are grateful for our partnership with Love INC!

Missions Team is active keeping in touch with our missionaries and other ministries.  Please keep updated!  You can visit our website and go to the Outreach page

September Birthdays 

Christopher Haynes (9/24); Dede Hamilton and Marge Sass (9/26)